{"id":22193,"date":"2015-01-07T09:46:56","date_gmt":"2015-01-07T17:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=22193"},"modified":"2015-01-07T09:48:16","modified_gmt":"2015-01-07T17:48:16","slug":"how-to-be-a-more-mindful-street-photographer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/07\/how-to-be-a-more-mindful-street-photographer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be a More Mindful Street Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Downtown
Downtown LA, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I just finished a book called \u00e2\u20ac\u015310% happier<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, which preached the benefits of meditation\u00c2\u00a0and mindfulness in everyday life.<\/p>\n

There is a lot of pain and anxiety from everyday life, and one of the main causes of that is longing for something. Wanting something that we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have. By focusing too much on the future and the past.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

However according to the book (and Buddhism), one of the best ways to overcome this is by not striving. By focusing on the present moment.<\/p>\n

I think there are a lot of things we can focus on in being present and mindful in street photography. Here are some things that come to mind:<\/p>\n

1. Being focused on the streets<\/h2>\n

It is easy to let out focus shift too much when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out shooting. We might focus too much on the stresses we have, whether it be financial, emotional, work related, or anything else.<\/p>\n

When were out shooting, we should be focused on the present moment. The joy to be outside, experiencing life with our camera. We should enjoy the breeze of the cool air, the sounds of people interacting on the streets, and the joy of clicking the shutter button on our camera.<\/p>\n

So as easy it is to drift away from the act of shooting on the streets (and think about random things)\u00e2\u20ac\u201c try to focus on the present moment. The second you let your mind wander, focus on the sensation of your feet in the pavement, the weight of the camera around your neck or hand, and focusing on what you see before you.<\/p>\n

2. Being pleased with the gear we own<\/h2>\n

One of the things that is very difficult (in an age of marketing and advertisements) is to be satisfied with what we have. Especially when it comes to photography and cameras. They call this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153GAS\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (Gear Acquisition Syndrome<\/a>) in which we are getting new cameras, lenses, and equipment with the hope it will inspire us and help us become better photographers.<\/p>\n

I was very much like this in the past. I would always be dissatisfied with the camera and lenses I owned, and I felt that the next purchase would make me a better and more inspired photographer. I spent far too much site on gear forums and camera rumor sites. I listed after the newest, shiniest, and trendy camera.<\/p>\n

It happened with every camera. From my Canon point and shoot, to my Canon Rebel XT, to my Canon 5D, and finally to my Leica M9. Now I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m shooting mostly film so there is less GAS on my part (film is already outdated), but I still struggle with not getting tempted by all these new and sexy cameras.<\/p>\n

My biggest regret is spending all that time, energy, and money on all these new cameras and gear. I wish I invested my time and money into experiences<\/a>, not physical possessions. I wish I spent the money to travel more, to buy more photography books<\/a>, and invest in my education as a photographer.<\/p>\n

So the moment you ever feel dissatisfied with your gear, the best remedy is to simply go outside and take photos. I find I am rarely dissatisfied with my camera when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m outside actually making images. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m only dissatisfied with my equipment when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m comparing myself to others on the Internet and what they own.<\/p>\n

Another solution to spend less time on gear review sites is to block them with a browser plugin, and rather set magnumphotos.com as your bookmark. Study the masters, consume their images, and be inspired.<\/p>\n

And if you do have the money, invest it into travel, books, workshops, education, and self learning. It will pay far higher dividends.<\/p>\n

3. Enjoy the process, not the destination<\/h2>\n

When I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m working on photography projects, sometimes I can be so caught up in wanting to see the final product, rather than simply enjoying the process.<\/p>\n

There is a saying that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153life is about the journey, not the destination\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. I think we should apply the same thought to our photography.<\/p>\n

Many of us aspire to become great photographers, to have our works exhibited internationally, to have a strong social media following, and to have our work be appreciated by others. However by focusing on those external goals, we can sometimes lose sight of the joy of actually taking photos.<\/p>\n

So whenever you feel frustrated with your photography, remember to enjoy the process. The journey of learning, improving your work, and sharing that passion with others is the most valuable thing.<\/p>\n

4. Chew on photographs slowly<\/h2>\n

One of the problems I suffer is that I often look at photographs too quickly. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m quite impatient, so if a photograph doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t initially interest me, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll quickly disregard it and move on.<\/p>\n

However I feel that the best way to enjoy a photograph is slowly and mindfully. To take at least a minute to look around the frame, observe the light and shadows, to inspect the content in the frame, and to look for small details in the image. It is like eating a nice meal \u00e2\u20ac\u201c by slowly chewing, noting the flavors, and consuming it with joy and delight.<\/p>\n

So imagine photographs you look at as food. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just simply inhale the food, trying to shove more into your mouth. Rather, treat it like you were at a nice restaurant. Chew and digest photographs slowly, mindfully, and graciously.<\/p>\n

5. Focus on your breath<\/h2>\n

One of the main things I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned from meditation, yoga, and Buddhism is the importance of focusing on your breath. When we get angry, or upset, our breathing goes through the roof. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found personally when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m anxious or stressed, focusing on my breath helps me calm down tremendously.<\/p>\n

So a practical way you can apply this in street photography: if you ever upset somebody or face a confrontation on the streets, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t panic. Focus on your breath. Be mindful of the situation, and calmly explain to your subject why you took a photograph of them. Smile politely and apologize.<\/p>\n

If you are feeling generally nervous or anxious when shooting on the streets, you can do the same thing. Know that taking photographs of strangers can be seen as a form of aggression. And when we are noticed taking photographs of strangers, we often get the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fight or flight\u00e2\u20ac\u009d reaction \u00e2\u20ac\u201c in which we sweat, our adrenaline escalated, and our heart rate goes through the roof. We adapted this way in ancient times or prevent us from angering others which could lead us to dying.<\/p>\n

Fortunately in the modern world we rarely encounter such life or death situations. Our environment has changed, but our physiological responses have not.<\/p>\n

So whenever you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re stressed, anxious, or nervous when out on the streets or taking photos\u00e2\u20ac\u201c just take a second to breathe deeply, in and out. Focus on your breath, and let everything melt sway.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not a zen master or Buddhist, but these philosophies have helped me gain more peace and tranquility in my everyday life, and in street photography. By letting go of the past, worries about the future, and being mindful and focused on the present\u00e2\u20ac\u201c can we truly be happy and grateful for what we have.<\/p>\n

Read More Books on Mindfulness<\/h2>\n

If you want to learn more about mindfulness, I highly recommend the books below:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. 10% Happier by Dan Harris<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance\u00c2\u00a0by\u00c2\u00a0Robert M. Pirsig<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion by Sam Harris<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Articles on Philosophy and Street Photography<\/h2>\n

    If you are interested in reading more articles on philosophy and street photography, I also recommend these articles:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. How Many \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Likes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Is Enough?<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. How to Be Grateful For What You Have<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. On Criticism and Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. On Friendship and Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    5. On Jealousy and Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    6. On Legacy and Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    7. On Social Media and Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    8. On Travel and Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    9. The Tao of Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n
    10. Zen in the Art of Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Letters from a Street Photographer<\/h2>\n

      A series in which I combine the philosophy of stoicism (being happy without regard to fate) and street photography:<\/p>\n